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I know your struggle right now. You’re excited to jump into this new adventure and buy your first AR-15. But you don’t quite know where to start. The huge number of options and configurations is downright overwhelming. Browsing forums, YouTube, Reddit, and sites like mine are full of conflicting advice, personal preferences, and evolving brand names. Before you go down this path, I want you to answer a simple question: Why do you want an AR-15?
I don’t mean that in that judgemental way that a disbelieving friend or relative might ask it. Rather, I want you to think about the role you need this rifle to perform. If you’re like most first time buyers, then you might have a notion you want to have it for “just in case” moments. That means it needs to be reliable.
On the other hand, you might decide that you want it for competition or hunting someday, so it also needs to be accurate.
Then, of course, there’s the “cool factor” and you want to proudly post pictures all over the internet. Frankly, this route is a bad idea- but regardless of what I think, that means it needs to look good, right?
More and more, perhaps you live in a state that is on the verge of restricting things and you want to finally take the dive before it’s too late.
It seems like there’s more information out there than you can easily digest. In the end, you might get caught up in the same thing so many of us did when we started out: paralysis by analysis. Let’s see if we can solve that together.
Quick Note
Welcome to Version 4.0 of this field guide, one of the most popular articles on the site. It’s been a few years since the last revision, so things needed adjusting. Some of my favorite suggested factory models were discontinued, while pricing has gone up across the board. I’ve also written a lot more about some topics and needed to insert additional links.
As a bonus, I recorded a podcast episode to serve as a companion to this article. The content is very similar, but I know some readers prefer the more conversational tone of hearing me actually explain my thoughts.
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Bottom Line Up Front
I spend a lot of time explaining the “why.” It’s a side effect of spending most of my professional life as an instructor. But I get it, you might not have time to go through the rest of the article right now and get my reasoning.
The simple truth is this: most AR-15 rifles, particularly within a middle budget zone, are more reliable and more accurate than the average gun owner will ever be able to challenge the limits of. My primary suggestion is to start simple, with a basic rifle free of fancy frills, and learn to use it well. From there, as your skills and preferences evolve, you can upgrade and modify as needed.
You want a rifle that’s a Jack-of-all-Trades that can do 80% of everything reasonably well, particularly at ranges in between 0 to 300 yards.
I am not sponsored and nobody is paying me to advertise their wares. What follows is simply my suggestions based on personal observation, research, and good reputation.
There are two ways to go about this. The first is purchasing a complete rifle from the factory. This is the simplest “one and done” way to approach things, and it also preserves whatever manufacturer warranty might be in place.
The second is purchasing the upper and lower halves separately. This allows you a bit more flexibility to spread the cost out over time or to put the bulk of your budget towards the really important part (the upper) while saving a bit of money on the lower half. This is also a valid route as long as you don’t mind mixed roll marks (and most people don’t care).
Complete AR-15 Rifles
These are the complete factory rifles I suggest the most frequently.
BCM Lightweight Recce MCMR
As a slightly more mainstream company, Bravo Company USA offers a ton of configurations and options. The Lightweight Recce MCMR is a fantastic rifle that ticks just about every box I can possibly put in front of you. It uses a light weight profile barrel built of high quality steel, uses known reliable manufacturing processes for quality assurance, and is backed by a generally great company.
BCM offers many variations of this rile, including quad rail handguards, keymod, and even going down to a stripped fixed triangle front sight post version (my personal favorite). If you can’t find the complete rifle version, which BCM does not sell on their site so you have to go through third parties, you can always buy the upper by itself direct from BCM.
Centurion Arms CM4
The Centurion Arms CM4 is pretty much exactly the rifle I advocate in this article. It has a 16″ barrel with a mid length gas system, lightweight rail and profile, and high quality parts.
The owner, Monty, is a former Naval Special Warfare NCO with a wealth of experience on the weapons system and a reputation for innovation.
In all, the CM4 is very similar to the BCM Lightweight MCMR, with just a few minor differences in parts selection. You would never notice the difference in performance between them, so both are good options.
Sionics Patrol Rifle Three
Sionics Weapon Systems is another lesser known company outside of the enthusiast market. They typically cater to a law enforcement crowd, but their pedigree is quite good when it comes to who was involved in standing up the company and their parts selection. You can buy a Sionics for a few hundred dollars less than the BCM or Centurion, too.
As with the previous complete rifles, the Sionics looks functionally identical. It has a slightly heavier barrel, so it carries and balances differently, but otherwise shares similar elements. Buy with confidence.
Complete Uppers
Some people like to buy complete rifles as turn-key solutions. I actually prefer to buy complete uppers and lowers separately.
You save a little money this way due to excise taxes on complete weapons. You also have a lot more configuration options of pre-built uppers ready to go. I’m not really going to suggest complete lowers because there are simply too many out there to choose from, but an easy answer is any of the companies I’ve mentioned so far also have stripped and complete lower receivers. The most common suggestion is to get something from Palmetto State Armory in a configuration that looks best to you.
Note that lower receivers are the serialized part of an AR-15, and they must go through your local dealer. Uppers can go direct to your door.
These are my suggestions for your first AR-15 project:
BCM Lightweight 16″
The BCM Lightweight Standard 16″ is a great starter upper. It is what I used for my second project, and the base inspiration for the minimum capable carbine. It’s a no-frills basic upper receiver that does everything you need, nothing you don’t, and provides an outstanding base to grow from.
The basic upper comes lower price point than going with something a bit more “kitted out” with rails and other hardware. If you prefer that it already have a rail system (or no front sight base), then look at the MCMR-15 version.
Palmetto State Armory “Sabre” 16″ Upper
For the first time since writing this article, Palmetto State Armory has reached the list of primary recommendations. They, probably more than any other company, have been heavily invested in spreading firearms ownership to the common citizen and have done an amazing job developing their product lines. Their “Sabre” line is their premium offering, and covers a lot of check boxes for me at a fair price.
With the baseline suggestions out of the way, let’s get on to the real meet of this field guide.
Guiding Principles for Your First AR-15
The AR-15 is the most popular self-loading rifle in the country. Manufacturers spend a lot of money influencing your opinion one way or another on which one to buy. In truth, once you get to a certain level of quality, the subtle differences from one rifle to the next aren’t really that important.
It’s the job of marketing teams to make you feel otherwise.
To start this off, let’s discuss two guiding principles.
- Mission drives gear
- Buy nice or buy twice
Mission Drives Gear
Mission drives gear means you pick a rifle configuration that matches the job. The military has fielded everything from 20″ rifles to short CQB carbines and precision-oriented variants for a reason: each setup is a compromise optimized for a specific role. Your first AR-15 should be a general-purpose configuration that does most things well.
If you don’t have a particular mission in mind, that’s ok. Most people don’t when starting out. I suggest a basic self defense situation that’s realistic (if you need a framework, we call this “Scenario-X”).
If we assume the primary mission is defensive, then it drives us towards a few core requirements.
TRAINFIRE Requirements
First formally identified by the US Army following the Korean War, Trainfire was an effort to codify realistic combat conditions and build a training program around it. These points are not direct quotes, but rather derivations of Trainfire and other influences like my friend John Simpson.
- The realistic outside edge of regular individual combat is 300 yards
- Targets are uncooperative and are actively trying to avoid getting shot
- The basic accuracy requirement is hitting a 10″ circle as quickly as possible up to 300 yards
- Combat conditions rarely allow the use of windage adjustment
- Weapons will be carried far more than they are shot
So, in short, we need a weapon that is reliable accurate enough to hit a 10″ target up to 300 yards. It must be light enough to not be a hindrance during movement. The sighting system need not be complicated.
Configuration Compromises
The more you specialize an AR-15 for a particular role, the worse it performs at others. For example, short barreled rifles are great for quick handling at close range but have dramatic velocity drop off and skull-rattling concussion. On the other hand, heavy-barreled precision rifles suited to long-range shooting are a relative pain to carry.
For a beginner, it makes sense that the first rifle does a pretty good job at everything.
Buy Nice or Buy Twice
If you are going to buy something, then buy enough quality to last.
When it comes to AR-15s, hucksters say Part X is “just as good as” Part Z. They usually don’t have any proof of the claim. The end result is that people buy cheap gear, it fails, and they end up spending more replacing it. I’ve watched someone buy the same budget red dot three times with the same model. More money than a single quality optic would have cost in the first place. Buy enough quality to last, then spend the rest on ammo and training.
Diminishing Returns
There is a point of diminishing returns in the AR-15 world. Right now, that point is around $1500. It seems to climb up a few hundred dollars every time I update this article, but that’s inflation for you.
Past a certain point, you’re paying a lot more for small gains. Aim for a quality rifle in the “sweet spot” price range, then invest in ammo, magazines, and training.
Market Price and Quality Control
If a manufacturer starts advertising too far below that price, then you have to ask what compromises they are making to get there. I’m not saying that a bargain bin $400 AR-15 is going to explode in your hands tomorrow. But I am saying that to reach a $400 price point, you don’t know what kind of loose tolerances, quality control, testing, metallurgy, and care of assembly went into the product.
If the gun only ever turns money into noise by dumping lead into the berm, then it wouldn’t matter. If you’re going to leave it in the safe most of the time and only use it to hand out to someone during an emergency, you might be fine. But if you plan on training a lot, going to classes, competing from time to time, and then need the rifle to still function flawlessly when your life depends on it- spend a little more.
Setting Baselines: A Brief History of the AR-15
With the basic rules on the table, let’s talk baselines: start with a proven, reliable configuration as your reference point. Think of it like buying a stock 4Runner—Toyota engineered and tested it to work as a complete system for years. You can add speed and accessories, but every modification introduces tradeoffs and can reduce reliability or longevity elsewhere.
I think the AR-15 is similar to this.
The AR-15 Origin Story
The AR-15 story is really the story of the .223/5.56 small caliber high velocity (SCHV) concept. For decades, militaries assumed infantry rifles needed full-power cartridges and 1000-yard capability, but research and combat experience kept pointing back to a different reality: most effective small-arms engagements happen inside ~300 yards, where lighter, faster-handling weapons and higher hit probability matter more than raw power. That thinking (alongside programs like Trainfire) helped drive demand for a lightweight rifle firing a small, high-velocity cartridge.
That’s where the AR-15 comes in: Armalite’s lightweight AR-10 design was scaled down to the experimental .223, resulting in a handy 20″ rifle that was easier to carry, easier to shoot well, and effective in the realistic 0–300 yard envelope. Those priorities—lightweight, high velocity, general-purpose capability to ~300 yards—are the baseline we care about here.
Your First AR-15: The Minimum Capable Carbine
I started developing this concept several years ago when interest in the AR-15 began spiking among my friends and coworkers. I was the “gun guy,” so they wanted help. The suggestion that follows is the result of nearly ten years of experimentation, competition, training, and study.
It’s not perfect, since everything is a compromise, but it works pretty darn well.
The minimum capable carbine is one that reliably performs most tasks well. This gives you time to learn the ins and outs of the platform and develop your skills with a rifle that grows with you. This AR-15 carries well, has good accuracy, and is extremely reliable as long as a basic maintenance routine is kept. It is equally suited to home defense as it is carrying on a hike through the woods.
Minimum Capable Carbine Features
- 16″Lightweight mid-length chrome lined barrel with a fixed front sight base
- Alternative: A 20″ lightweight or government profile barrel with fixed front sight base
- Either quality plastic handguards or a basic free float rail
- Quality collapsible stock
- Quality pistol grip of choice
- Standard trigger or something close to it like the BCM PNT or ALG ACT
- Quality rear sight, with or without adjustment
- If you have the money to buy an optic, then do so- buy one of good quality. If you don’t have the funds for a good one, then run the iron sights until you save for it.
- Bonus: If you plan on using the weapon for defensive purposes, then you should mount a good light on it
- Bonus: You should get a sling, because retention matters
In a moment, I’ll walk you through my choices here and explain each one. But before that, the question will come up:
Should You Build or Buy Your First AR-15?
For a first rifle, I recommend buying a complete gun from a reputable manufacturer. Building sounds cheaper, but the tools, shipping, and learning curve add up—and troubleshooting a new build is frustrating when you don’t yet know what “normal” looks like. If you want a project, start by assembling a lower after you already own a proven rifle.
Buy First, Don’t Build
These days, there are so many good manufacturers making such a wide variety of rifles that it is silly to choose the individual part selection route for a first rifle.
My suggestion, especially for your first AR-15, is to buy a complete rifle from a good manufacturer. My favorites include Colt, Centurion Arms, Bravo Company USA (BCM), SIONICS Weapon Systems, and Daniel Defense. These manufacturers produce a good product right around the sweet spot price point.
If you still have the itch to build, then you should buy a stripped lower receiver to finish. Then pick up a complete upper from one of the mentioned manufacturers.
Let’s Talk Specs
Long ago, a gentleman by the name of Rob S put together the infamous Chart. In 2009, when I first read it, the chart was a list of technical specifications found in the government M16/M4 family. These specs contributed to the reliability and performance of the rifle.
It also highlighted which manufacturers were adhering to those specifications.
In the years since the chart went public, gun buyers got smarter and more demanding about what they wanted. In response, manufacturers started touting their compliance, lest they be seen as inferior. Manufacturing also got less expensive, so it was a win/win for everyone. Of course, there were still unscrupulous companies who hid the caveats about their features.
Let’s dig in.
Barrels
Choosing your barrel is a stressful decision for most beginners. There are simply a lot of options out there. I’ve copied some quick takeaways from that much larger article. I highly suggest you check out the full piece on choosing an AR-15 barrel, which prepares you for making this decision.
The barrel, combined with the bolt carrier, is the beating heart of the rifle.
Buy a lightweight profile barrel made from MIL-B-11595E certified steel, which could either be 4150 ORD or CMV. Get it with a chrome lined bore and fixed front sight. This combination is the most versatile for people who own only one AR and need it to do lots of things well. My preference for beginners is a fixed front sight tower, but it’s not a requirement.
- The lightweight barrel is accurate enough for target practice and some competition
- Lightweight barrels are easy to carry
- Chrome lined bores and chambers handle high rates of fire better than alternatives like nitriding
- They handle well indoors for home defense.
- [Optional] Fixed front towers are the strongest front sight available
- [Optional] Fixed front towers offer the best accuracy potential with iron sights
I suggest either a 16″ or 20″ barrel. The length primarily affects the velocity and balance of the rifle. Velocity has a huge impact on the trajectory of the bullet as well as its effective range. The 16″ is a good all-around length and a solid choice for most tasks. The 20″ makes a fantastically shootable rifle with a flat trajectory, and is my personal favorite, but comes at the cost of a little more weight.
Barrel Profile
During the last Assault Weapons Ban, manufacturers pumped out heavy barreled (HBAR) variants. They targeted these towards competition shooters since heavy barrels tended to be more accurate. Their extra mass also helps put up with higher volumes of fire.
The accuracy thing is interesting. But if this is your first AR-15 then you are not likely to take advantage of the increased capability. If you’re already a competitive high power shooter now moving into the AR platform, then a heavier barrel made of SS410 or 416r stainless steel might benefit you.
Otherwise, you are better served by learning the rifle and shooting out the first barrel as you practice. That will take somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 rounds depending on the barrel material, rate of fire, and type of ammunition. For most people, that represents many years of shooting, if they ever get there. For professional shooters in competition, that’s about a single season of practice, training, and competition.
A lightweight profile puts up with plenty of abuse while also being easier to carry and maneuver. Weight matters. I’ve been to many a training class where people start stripping junk off their rifles to save weight.
AR-15 Barrel Material
There are a lot of barrel steels out there. Look for 4150 steel or better, as mentioned before with the government’s 11595E specification. The cheaper 4140 steel isn’t terrible, but 4150 is the minimum government spec for the AR-15. It has a bit more durability for use in firearms due to its higher carbon content.
Stainless barrels are often used in precision rifles. It’s not that stainless is any more accurate than 4150, though. Historically, stainless barrels were easier to machine and polish, while also being more resistant to corrosion. That means manufacturers shorten their supply chain and produce more consistently machined barrels.
Better consistency in manufacturing means better accuracy on target.
Stainless barrels come with some risks in durability, particularly in very cold weather. For that reason, stay away from lightweight-profile stainless barrels. They should always be a medium profile or heavier.
If you want to go the stainless route, then buy one made from 410 or 416r stainless. If you plan to use the rifle in below freezing weather, then stick to 416r.
Barrel Lining
I chose chrome lining for your first AR-15 because it’s more common, durable, and well understood. There is a long track record of success with chrome lining. Nitrided barrels, which you often see advertised as Melonite/QPQ/Tenifer and other trade names, are barrels treated with a surface conversion process. This makes them very corrosion resistant and don’t have the accuracy trade-off of chrome lining.
The compromise is that nitrided barrels are much less heat tolerant of high rates of fire. This applies more to fully automatic rather than your regular semi-auto rifle, though. Most people doing general range work will never notice a difference. When it comes to nitrided barrels, I really like Faxon’s options, and used one of their 18” gunner profile barrels on a lightweight project I dubbed the Minuteman KISS rifle.
I know there are nitrided stainless barrels out there on the market. Be cautious here, since the temperature used for nitriding is very close to that used for tempering a barrel. Generally, I would avoid nitrided stainless barrels unless you’re buying from a known high-quality manufacturer who certify the temperatures used in the process such as Criterion Barrels.
AR-15 Barrel Twist Rate
Look for a twist rate of 1-7 or 1-8. Some cheaper barrels have a 1-9 twist rate, which work fine for shooting bulk ammo in the 55gr to 62gr range. But if you ever want to use the heavier and more accurate 77gr family of bullets, then you need the faster twist.
If you want more detailed information about selecting the right twist rate for your rifle, head over to my article all about rifle twist rates.
Front Sight Towers or Not?
This topic comes up as a point of contention. I’m fully aware that fixed front sight towers are the “old school” solution by today’s standards. Moreover, finding quality assembled uppers that include a FSB gets more difficult every year. The market expects and demands low-profile gas blocks with longer rails, so manufacturers are doing what the market wants. They are in it to make money, after all.
My reasoning for suggesting a correctly-installed FSB is simple. It’s the most durable front sight you can have and is conducive to the best accuracy possible from a front sight. The former stems from the two large steel pins that hold it to the barrel. The latter is a result of the sight being attached to the barrel itself rather than the handguard, so it moves with the barrel and your zero stays with it.
How useful is that in an era of optics? Probably not much. These days, irons are typically the backup option to an optic. There is nothing wrong with going right to a pinned low profile gas block. My argument boils down to this:
- Since I don’t want you to go cheap on an optic, a pinned FSB serves you well as a sighting device for a long time
- Should you get to a point where you don’t want the FSB anymore, it’s easy to cut off the tower and leave the very strong pinned gas block in place
In the meantime, you might find that you don’t mind the tower as much as you thought you would. Several instructors, like Paul Howe of CSAT, actually insist on keeping the front sight tower whenever using battery-powered optics like red dots because they are always visible and give a solid reference point.
Rails and Handguards
Some people are particularly passionate about this. Plastic handguards work well for the vast majority of shooters out there. They are usually lighter, plenty durable, cheaper, and replaceable. I usually find them more comfortable as well since the shape is ergonomic and internal heat shields help protect my hand after lots of shooting.
I like the Magpul MOE series.
If you choose a rail, go free-float. It gives you mounting space and avoids pushing on the barrel, which can improve consistency. Otherwise, basic plastic handguards work fine for most shooters.
There are several well-made rails on the market that are even lighter than plastic handguards. Some of my favorites out there are made by SLR, BCM, Midwest Industries, and Centurion Arms.
Triggers
AR-15 triggers are a highly personal thing, and everyone has their own preferences. I suggest reading my longer article about AR-15 trigger selection as a follow-up to this.
When I started out, I went immediately for a $200+ Geissele SSA. Since then, I’ve installed an SSA-E, SD-E, and a Larue MBT. All of those are great triggers.
The last one used an ALG ACT, which simply a coated and polished mil-spec trigger.
I prefer two stage triggers, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to go. I love my nice triggers, but I also realize they circumvented the process of learning to squeeze the trigger well. In truth, if I were starting over with my first AR-15, I would stay with a good mil spec trigger like the ALG ACT or BCM PNT for as long as possible.
Lighter triggers are not a replacement for poor fundamentals. A practiced shooter can take any trigger and use it effectively. Poor shooters seek to get “better” by fixing their issues with more gear. Get a decent mil-spec trigger and practice. Once you’ve mastered that, then consider a nicer trigger that gives you the extra accuracy with the skill you’ve already developed.
Muzzle Devices
To be honest, this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Far too many people are getting complicated with this. The standard A2 birdcage flash hider is perfectly fine, and even desirable, for most users.
But it’s not expensive and fancy, so people want to replace it.
The bottom line is that muzzle brakes and compensators typically make more noise and flash in exchange for “fixing” something that you could do yourself with better shooting mechanics. For the average user, you’re better off spending that money on more practice ammo to get a hold of your fundamentals and recoil management.
For the everyone else, a brake or comp might be useful if you fall into one of three categories:
- You’re already an expert at very fast shooting and need an extra edge in an action shooting match
- You live in a state that bans flash hiders
- You have a suppressor that uses a muzzle brake as a sacrificial baffle
If one of those applies to you, then cool. Take your pick, as they all work about the same, and will cause you (and everyone else) the same amount of headache when you shoot it near them.
The Buffer Tube and Stock
The stock is one of those things that most people take for granted. It’s just…there. But it’s also the only part of the rifle that makes contact with two parts of your body: your shoulder and your cheek.
That said, there’s no need to over-complicate this. If you are buying a complete rifle, it probably comes with a pretty good stock already out of the box. Shoot it and enjoy it.
If you are taking the path of assembling your own or want to customize what you already have, then pick what looks good to you from Magpul, BCM, LMT, or B5. They all do their job well, and it isn’t worth sifting through the small differences between them.
For a long time, I advocated for fixed rifle-length stocks. I still enjoy them. I realize that there is a lot of utility sacrificed in the process, though. Fixed stocks offer much more stable cheek welds, which increases accuracy potential. This happens at the expense of adjustability and compactness. What you value more is up to you.
Remember, mission drives gear.
Whichever choice you make, make sure to get the right size. If you go for a rifle length stock, then you will need a rifle buffer tube (technically called the receiver extension). That also requires a different rifle spring and buffer.
Again, whatever path you choose, buy quality. There are small differences in the dimensions between “mil spec” buffer tubes and “commercial.” All of the quality manufacturers follow the “mil spec.”
Other Accessories
Aside from the rifle itself, I think a minimum capable AR-15 should have an optic, sling, and white light.
You’ll find thousands of discussions between enthusiasts debating their preferred options. There is an optic targeted to every price point, from ultra cheap to high end. Most people are best served by a red dot sight. This projects a little red dot against an unmagnified lens, and it greatly speeds up the aiming process. It is best suited from 0 to 200 meters, give or take depending on your eyesight.
Optics for Your First AR-15
To keep things simple, I recommend the Aimpoint PRO model. This is a previous generation version of the US Military’s M68 optic. You can find them today for very reasonable prices and on sale often. It’s not the lightest or newest, but it’s proven reliable and will last you pretty much forever.
Regardless of the option you choose, expect to spend at least $400 for a quality red dot from Aimpoint, Trijicon, Leupold, EOTech, Vortex, or others.
It’s not cheap. I understand. Stick to your iron sights and master them while you save for the optic. It is not worth buying a cheaper optic in the meantime that could fail on you at any time. But you should still get an optic when you have the funds. Don’t trick yourself into thinking irons are the fundamentals you should learn first and use that as justification to cheap out on a quality optic
Red dot sights are sometimes problematic for people with astigmatism. It turns the red dot into a cluster of red splotches, lines, or other misshapen things. If that’s you, look at prismatic optics, low power fixed magnification, or low power variable scopes.
I also like Trijicon ACOGs for low power fixed options. But at around $1000 give or take for a new one, they aren’t exactly designed for those just getting into the AR-15 world. Primary Arms’s SLx 1x Gen 2 prismatic also seems like a really worthy mention here as it is 1x magnification like a red dot but is better able to work with people who have astigmatism.
The low power variable (LPVO) market has been the hot ticket for several years now. There are a lot of really good options here from many manufacturers, often coming in cheaper than an ACOG. The market evolves so quickly that it’s difficult to always have a current list of recommendations.
As an aside, please make sure you zero your sights. I’ve come across a lot of people at training classes who just never bothered, and it showed
White Light
If you want to use your AR-15 for home defense, you need a flashlight. Lights rated to put up with rifle recoil cost a bit more, but it’s worth it. You also want something with enough power; 500-ish lumens is plenty, but you can certainly go up to 1000. Many people go overboard here because they can. Either way, a white light requires training and practice to use well, so seek quality instruction.
My favorites are:
You’ll also need a mount. My favorites also come from Arisaka.
Slings
Slings do more than just carry the rifle. I have a long history with variations on the shooting sling, which cinches around the arm to stabilize the rifle. But I don’t think that’s where you should start (in fact, Trainfire even called it out as a poor practice). A good sling allows you to take up and release slack as needed to adjust the rifle or get more stability.
The top two, in my opinion, are the Blue Force Gear VCAS and the Magpul MS3.
I always recommend two point adjustable slings for new shooters. They will never stop being useful, and can be modified for even more functionality.
Wrapping Up
The AR-15 is a fantastic rifle, and I’m glad you’re considering one. I consider it the quintessential American rifle these days. There is a lot of information in this article, and I keep it updated as needed to reflect my thoughts and experience. Do your homework, buy quality, and you will have a great experience with your new rifle.
Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions down in the comments. Feel free to argue with me as well. I’m always open to a different perspective.
First AR ? More like my only AR.
I bought what I could afford.
A 16″ AR Stoner upper from MidwayUsa, a StarLos poly lower, UTG A2-style rear sight module, surplus A4 sight handle for Perry, and 2 tungsten recoil weights.
The budget red dot, someone gave me.
Did you polish this article a little? It’s good. I know I’ve read it before, maybe it’s the formatting.
Anyway, spot on with so many good, solid, reliable and accurate suggestions and philosophies that any newbie or guy who has stepped away from the market for a while, like me, can come back to and reference.
Solid, dawg. Killin’ it.
Yep, I rewrote a lot of it, added some new sections, photography, and redid the formatting. I figured the changes were enough for a repost to.
It is good to re-visit this stuff. I am on board with most of what you said, except for a few items. I have no use for fixed iron sights or plastic handguards. Also, the world of optics has been changing. If all you are looking for is a simple and durable red dot sight, there are plenty of options out there that cost less than the Aimpoint. Sometimes a lot less.
I totally get where you’re coming from, but you aren’t exactly the audience for this article, though. You have enough experience and knowledge to separate good from bad and recognize a good deal. You’re the man when it comes to optics, and it makes sense that you wouldn’t have a use for fixed front sight posts and plastic handguards. My concern is for people who know next to nothing, and then get caught up in bad information and marketing hype. The front sight post is a good example of this. Is it ideal for magnifies optics? No. But is it really a huge problem? Not really. If someone buys a rifle with a fixed front sight and then finds they really enjoy the kind of shooting you do, it’s really not a big deal to cut off the sight tower and just keep the extremely durable gas block portion that’s been securely pinned to the barrel. On the other hand, if someone wanted to skip that and went for a budget build without knowing that pinning is and why it’s important for which circumstances, then the risk of a bad experience goes up. The same applies for plastic handguards. It’s not a big deal to save some money and use them until you decide that you really need something free floated. Once you are there, you don’t feel all that bad about ditching a $40 piece of plastic in favor of a several hundred dollar rail system that fits right… Read more »
Didn’t I warn you we will have an argument about this? Let’s start with optics. Iron sights are a great thing to learn on for a healthy 18 year old with young eyes and very limited budget. Even there, simple Magpul folding BUIS will work fine. However, I assume your recommendations should be suitable for a broad range of people with widely varying experience levels, physical condition and eye health. Once you get a little older and your eyes start changing, iron sights become a major limiting factor. They are harder to use for a new shooter even with 18 year old eyes. Here is a little secret: when people shoot at a metal plate, what keeps them going back to the range is the ability to see and hit that little metal plate. Then there is the issue of astigmatism that makes red dot sights look weird to our ever aging population of shooting enthusiasts. I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about this lately and I am sorta arriving to a conclusion that the best first AR sighting system for most people should a 1x prism scope rather than reflex, holographic or iron sights. There are plenty of inexpensive and easy to use options like Vortex Spitfire AR, Burris AR-1x, PA 1×20, etc. These work with ALL eyes and make shooting fun. They also let you focus on other important fundamentals rather than try to figure out what needs to be blurry vs non-blurry with iron sights… Read more »
All great points 🙂 I’m with you on the 1x prism sights, I think they are a very interesting option that I just don’t have a lot of experience with. I would love to get my hands on a spitfire for some testing, though. I have a bit of astigmatism that hasn’t gotten bad enough to make red dots and holos useless, but I know it could get there someday. You are absolutely on point regarding helping people actually have fun at the range. It’s important that people feel good about shooting so that they keep coming back. There’s also no denying that an optic will definitely help with that over iron sights. In the article on iron sights vs optics, I made the same point you did- optics make everything easier for new shooters. https://www.everydaymarksman.co/equipment/iron-sights-vs-optics/ To this day, I don’t think my wife could effectively use iron sights- but she can hit a 300 with an EOTech all day long. But here’s the next problem: cost. You mention using an inexpensive Samson or Troy rail adding another $150-$180, which doesn’t seem like that big of an expense on top of a rifle. And you’re right. However, add on the cost of an optic like the Spitfire (~$250), and now you’re in for an extra $400. If someone has the funds to buy all of that at once, then great. But if someone feels like they can’t do it all so their only option is a lower quality rifle, then… Read more »
If sacrifices have to be made, a sighting system is not where I would be doing it. We can argue about handguards, triggers and buttstocks all day long, but these, largely, are not critical. Someone’s first AR should be reliable, reasonably accurate and easy to shoot things with. A simple 1x prism scope will make all the difference in the world if you actually want to hit something. No matter how good the rifle is, if you can’t aim properly, it will be of no use. Reliability and sighting system, in many ways, trump everything else. Nearly all modern ARs are sufficiently accurate for plinking.
If you want to play with the Spitfire 1x, I can probably convince Vortex to loan you one. Or I can borrow it from them, and send it to you for testing. It is no ELCAN or Trijicon, but for the money it is a very competent little sight. If money is that much of an issue, you can get a very serviceable red dot sight for around $100 that will hold up just fine for typical range plinking use and, unless you have severe astigmatism, will still be much easier to use than iron sights.
Most importantly, all these sights are made by companies with good warranties who stand behind their product. Because they are simple to make, they hold up pretty well, but in case something goes wrong, the company will take care of you.
I think this series of comments should be extracted and reproduced as it’s own post.
You’re not wrong. I think it would be an interesting post.
I am 55 and I think iron sights are a good starting point. I have to use my glasses to see smaller targets past 100 yards but I can ring steel all day with iron sights at 100 in with no glasses or 2-300 with my glasses. I actually have a 16inch BCM middy with a A2 front sight and a DD fixed rear that I use for iron sight shooting only. I like the challange and honest for CQB stuff I am no faster or slower with my Eotech. I just look over the rear sight (like i was taught in the military) and focus on tip of my A2 sight. Also works fantastic with a white light when its dark…the contrast is great and a red dot can get washed out in bright light.
I also always run my front sight up, as in either a A2 (love them, super strong gas block) or a Daniel Defense fixed front sight on my go to BCM 14.5 with a Eotech. Its a great reference point, not noticed when not needed but there in case.
Super post. Sites like this are pure gold.
For southpaw shooters looking to invest in their first AR rifle, what options, or path would you recommend to create an ambidextrous platform?
Al, I shoot ARs left handed. I’m not a fan of brass at my face, so I picked up a left-handed upper from Stag Arms. It ejects on the left side. It may not be the most bombproof option on the market, but it fits me the best. As far as controls, I just picked up an ambitious selector from Strike Industries and a left-side mag release from Troy. Strike Industries just released a left-side mag release that looks promising, though I haven’t picked one up yet. If I can help more, let me know.
Good info. Thanks. The bolt carrier group for the Stag would be specific to the Stag and have to be ordered from them I would guess?
That is correct. The bolts & carriers are proprietary, which is annoying, but I honestly don’t mind what I get in return. I recently put a suppressor on my stag and had no gas in the face issues even knowing how overgassed it probably is.
More good info. Thanks again!
Hey Al, thanks for coming by and I’m glad you like the site! I don’t shoot left-handed, so my experience here is limited. But, when it comes down to it, you basically have three options: 1) Shoot a regular right-handed rifle from the left-hand position and “learn to deal.” This would probably work out just fine, really. The biggest thing you’d have to contend with manipulating the safety and the charging handle. A few mods there are simple though, which gets me to option number two… 2) Swap in some ambi or left-handed parts. Ambi charging handles are pretty common, and I’m partial to the BCM (http://bit.ly/2Qn515H) and Radian Raptor (http://bit.ly/2Ex0rNA). An ambi magazine release is pretty common, I’ve always heard good things about Norgon’s model (http://bit.ly/2HBHmLZ). For a safety, I actually suggest getting a dedicated left-handed model rather than ambi. At this point, three of my rifles all have ambi safeties and I’m kind of over them. I dislike the lever getting in the way of my firing side hand. This is all well and good, and gets you 90% of the way there, but does nothing about the bolt release. Which gets me to Option #3. 3) This is the full-custom option. There are companies like CMT and Radian that make fully ambi lowers for mag release and bolt catch. I’d still use a left-handed safety. A standard upper with ambi charging handle is technically fine, but it’s a personal preference if you like the brass flying in… Read more »
Super info! Very much appreciated. I’ll run a few more rounds through the range rental unit to see how I feel about the brass flying past my face. At the moment, leaning towards a standard platform with the option 2 mods you mentioned above.
Glad to help, let us know how it works out for you!
As a predominantly left handed shooter, I disagree with using specialty parts. Over the last 15+ years & easily 50k in rounds down range all on standard right hand controls. I know I can pick up almost any AR on the planet and run it. If I became entrenched and relied on speciality parts I would be significantly less proficient with a random AR that I might be firing. Additionally, unless it is purely a range toy that the shooter is never ever possibly using for defense, shooting around barriers, or building clearing. The shooter should be training for shoulder transitions, nondominant hand and eye shooting as well. The world is not a flat range. Just my 2 cents. Above all, there is a huge difference in just shooting vs training. Buy ammo and seek competent instruction. Then go practice what was learned.
how do you feel about a Ruger for the first AR?
HI Shorty, thanks for coming by and asking! I’m assuming you mean one of the AR556 models, right?
Take this with a grain of salt, because I’ve never handled one in person, but I can read spec sheets and make inferences. To me, it looks like they designed it to a specific price point rather than with durability in mind. Some things that stood out to me is that they don’t actually list the barrel alloy material. They used 9310 steel in the bolt, which is probably fine since it’s actually stronger than the standard Carpenter 158.
The plastic handguards don’t have heat shields, so you’d probably have to replace them with something else, anyway. The front gas block isn’t standard, and the pin arrangement seems odd. I found a lot of stories of those pins falling out unexpectedly, but others of them being too tight to remove. So it’s an interesting challenge.
In all, assuming everything functions correctly (like the front sight taper pins), it would probably work just fine for most people. But, I would be much more comfortable suggesting something like the Aero Precision OEM series for a very similar price point. Just add some heat-shielded handguards (like the Magpul MOE series) and a stock and you’re in business.
Thanks for the info! Will be sure to bookmark and continue exploring your articles.Cog
Thanks for reading and commenting, Cog! I always appreciate the feedback, and welcome to the site!
I am surprised you didn’t mention S&W M&P15, which seems to be collecting very good reviews, especially the newer Sport II with FA and dust cover fitted. I just ordered one with 14.5″ barrel as my first AR, I’m currently waiting for it to be delivered at the gun shop. Do you have any experience with this gun? I know it is not a high-end AR, maybe even not a medium one, but keep in mind that this 500$ gun here in Italy becomes 1100€…for a Colt, which was also available, one has to spend like 1600€, a bit too much for me. Considering that here we fortunately do not have tax or paperwork issues with barrels under 16″, I chose the M4 length, both for the aesthetics (I admit that), and the fact that I will be using it for some IPSC-style shooting. For precision shooting I already have a SIG 550 with 20″ heavy barrel and optic, so I wanted to differentiate a bit from it with the AR. For first times, I’m keeping the standard iron sights, and we’ll see what I can get from it. There will be time to install an optic sight later. I agree 101% with you that mission drives gear, and that we should invest and improve ourselves enough to squeeze the most from our gear, before spending money to upgrade it. I always ask myself “what am I gonna do with this, not in my dreams, but in the REAL world?”… Read more »
Hi Filippo! First thanks for reading and I’m glad you’re enjoying my work.
To your question, I’ve handled a few M&P15 rifles. I don’t think they’re bad by any means, but I do think they make sacrifices in order to reach a particular price point. For example, the spec sheet lists the barrel steel as 4140 steel rather than the more expensive/durable 4150. The barrel is also a 1/9 twist instead of a 1/7 or 1/8 that’s become the norm.
I’ve also seen that they do batch testing on their bolts and barrels rather than individually testing each one, as you’ll find with the manufacturers I mentioned here. There are a few other cost-cutting measures, but I think you get where I’m going.
Do I think the M&P will fall apart in someone’s hands? Absolutely not. In fact, I bet it will function just fine for just about everyone who uses it. S&W doesn’t produce junk. Where they made compromises are the places I look for in the “I can bet my life on it” areas for peace of mind.
Hey Matt. Great article. I was wondering if you had any experience with or any thoughts on the Springfield Armory Saint line of ARs for a first time buyer.
Hey, thanks for asking! I don’t have any personal experience with the Saint other than seeing it on the rack and handling it a bit. From the spec sheet, it looks as though it would work just fine and feed most ammo well. I can’t find any reports of it having serious problems, but I also can’t find any examples of it running through a thousand rounds in a training course, either.
In all probability, it will be a good buy.
For the price, I would have directed you towards a Colt 6720, but just about anything colt is near impossible to find these days. Another option might be to look at the Aero OEM model, which is stripped of rail and stock so you can pick your own: https://www.brownells.com/firearms/rifles/semi-auto/oem-mid-length-16-rifle-prod81838.aspx
If you’re looking for something a little more complete, and that has a known track record, the Aero M4E1 comes in a little cheaper and is already free floated: https://www.primaryarms.com/aero-precision-ar15-m4e1-complete-rifle-16-5-56-15-m-lok-anodized-black-apcr600306
Bought a dpms oracle to get started. Built one to understand the process. Now I want about a 900-1200 rifle. All good points. Wish I would have read this first. I wasted time and money. I built a pistol and hate it. Loud and obnoxious with a diverter. Didn’t know how easy it is to maneuver with a 16”barrel, until I practiced.
Thanks for this write up. I am thinking a Daniel defense or bcm is in my near future. The dpms will get shot to death and just buy a new barrel!
Jarrod, thanks for reading and commenting! A DD or BCM will definitely serve you well. The DPMS isn’t as terrible as a lot of the hardcore guys would have you believe, but it was built to meet a certain price point. I say shoot it until it dies 🙂
Improved irons help me much and I’m legally blind, too. How Troy Industries SOCC rear folding sight and a Blitzkrieg Components LLC Luminescent Green triangle front sight post replacement. Hope this helps.
Hey Mark, thanks for reading and commenting! I’ve always been curious about those blitzkrieg sights. I have an Ashley Performance aight on one of my rifles. It has a white strip that is much faster to pick up.
Matt, this is a terrific write up and had this been around a few years ago I probably would have saved myself a ton of time spent browsing forums and Youtube!
I recently re-read this as I currently have a carbine length 16″ with an H buffer and was thinking of switching to a mid length. The carbine length is not that overgassed, but I would like to preserve longevity of the parts and not subject them to wear. What are your thoughts as far as making that switch? Is it kind of moot since I have an H buffer? Or would you even suggest an H2 for carbine lengths?
Also, my carbine length has the standard drop in handguards which have been perfectly adequate for me. I understand there is some torque or strain that comes with loading the handguard, and I can live with that. If I switch to a mid-length, now that I’m gripping farther away from the barrel nut (which theoretically, the closer you get to the barrel nut, the more rigid the barrel is..correct me if I’m wrong), and I’m gripping closer to the muzzle end, is there more of a risk that the barrel will be shifted? I’m speculating that the farther from the barrel nut the strain or sling torque is, the more susceptible the barrel is to shifting. Would appreciate hearing your thoughts and advice! Thanks and enjoy spending time with your loved ones during the holiday!
Hey JJ,
You could certainly try an H2 and see what it does for you, but I don’t expect you will see much of a difference. The carbine has system is pretty well worked out.
Regarding the barrel flex, it’s true that any leverage further out on the barrel can cause more flex, but I really wouldn’t worry about it unless you’re involved in competition or precision shooting.
It’s very popular to free float everything these days, but remember that we issued these rifles for decades with plastic hand guards and a kings attached even further out.
Hello. Thank you for the post. If you don’t mind, could you check out the DiamondBack DB15 and let me know what you think. It seems to have everything going for it at $529 (except being 4140 vs 4150). I’ve provided a link here… https://diamondbackfirearms.com/portfolio/db15mzb/
Hi Corey, to be honest, I can’t tell a whole lot from the spec sheet they provide. As you said, it does seem to check all of the boxes, which leads me to ask what they did in order to get the price point down. But I’ve never seen, held, or fired a DiamondBack so it wouldn’t be fair of me to give an opinion one way or another.
You probably won’t ever see this because this article is old but all yes. Some input on accessories though, even though the application may be different. For weapon lights, I prefer the OWL as they focus on candela vs lumens. Optics depend on mission, expected engagement range and capabilities of the rifle. In the service I had an eotech holographic with a g33 magnifier on an hk416, an acog on an m4 and an lpvo 1-6x on an cqbr. Most people won’t ever expect to have to design a weapon system to hold a competing measure of lethality against other people doing the same, but I can’t avoid that school of thought every time I build a rifle. Much different than what the beginning shooter may be aware of for sure. I did start with irons myself.
Hey Austin, thanks for commenting. I’ve never actually come across OWL before, but I like what I can find about it. It seems like a smartly-thought out design. As far as optics, you are definitely correct that they should always align to the expected use case.
Hey great article I’ve been researching for my first gun purchase for several months. I think i have it narrowed down to the mossberg mmr pro chambered in .224 valkarie, it seems like a very quality firearm for the price of 1100 and seems like it can handle self defense hunting and competition/range shooting all very well.
Hey Andrew, thanks for commenting. I’ve got nothing bad to say about the .224, but why go that route for a first gun? The Valkyrie is very specialized for competition and long range.
Well to be fair the choices for decent made relatively inexpensive ie not two grand or more are limited so when i found the mossberg and researched it it really stuck out. And why not go for .224 it seems like a superior .223. I also really like the design and the fact that the gun has a lot of room for anything I decide to put on it.
I totally get that options today might be slim, and there’s nothing saying you can’t get another upper in the future to swap back and forth with. Ballistically, the Valkyrie is superior for long-range precision. But, all things being equal in a non-panic-buying season, the costs of running the Valkyrie in ammunition and parts will be higher. That’s why I suggest most people, except for seasoned match shooters, start with the classic .223 and build up their marksmanship base with something cheaper to practice with.
Excellent article, I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you!
Could you list the specs for the top AR15 shown in the picture featuring two of your AR15s?
Hi John, sure thing. I assume you mean the one with the brown furniture?
– BCM 16″ midlength lightweight standard upper complete with BCM BCG
– Magpul MOE handguard
– An older AAC Blackout flash hider (I’ve since gone back to the A2 birdcage on that rifle)
– EOTech XPS-2 on an ADM riser
– BCM folding rear sight (made by Troy)
– BCM complete lower
– Magpul MOE stock with thicker butt pad
– BCM Gunfighter pistol grip
– Geissele SSA trigger
– BAD short throw ambi safety
The light is an older VTAC model made by Surefire mounted with an IWC SMC mount made for the older Magpul MOE handguards (my handguard pre-dates M-LOK and they’ve since updated the molds)
Were I to build this rifle today, there’s not a lot I would change for the most part. I would skip the ambi safety as I’ve found it causes problems with my shooting hand knuckles bumping it. I do like the short throw, though, and would keep that. The EOTech is fine, but I have come to prefer either something magnified or a more classic red dot sight, that’s personal prefernce. The light remains serviceable, but there’s a lot of other companies out there making quality lights now and I would probably go to Arisaka Defense.
Looking to buy an AR-15 in the next few months. I see there’s a manufactors in the south east. Any recommendations? Thanks
For Europeans not affected by NFA regulations, do you recommend a 14.5 inch barrel instead of a 16 inch barrel?
Hi Sam, if you are unencumbered by the nuance of the American National Firearms act, then the difference between a 14.5″ and 16″ barrel is more academic than anything. There is just a bit of gain in velocity with a 16″, but it’s probably not enough to really be noticed. Go with what “feels” right to you when it comes to weight and handling characteristics, but I would suggest that if you go with a 14.5″ then you should get it with a carbine gas system, whereas if you go with a 16″ length you should use a mid length gas system.
Hi I’m looking to buy my first AR I want it for home defense and hunting what would you recommend or everything right out of the box
Hi Ernest, I’m not quite sure what you mean by “everything right out of the box.” Do you include optics and such in that? As far as I know, there aren’t really complete packages like that. Your best bet is to buy a complete rifle (one of the ones I mentioned at the start), and then an optic separately.
What is your opinion on PSA rifles? Most of their rifles seem to hit every benchmark you’ve laid out above. Thanks for the great articles.
Hi David, to be honest I don’t have much direct experience with PSA so I don’t want to make it up. From what I’ve seen of them in competitions and training classes, they do OK- but there have been QC issues in the past and I’ve seen them go down more often than BCM or similar. That said, there’s also different levels of rifle within PSA’s catalog. I like that PSA is an innovative company who is trying to push limits where they can, but I can’t get around asking myself what they’re doing, or not doing, to get to the price point they offer.
The best line by far: “This isn’t a recipe blog, after all. So, let’s get right to some recommendations.”
I enjoy cooking and baking, and there has been a recent phenomenon over the past couple years of all these online recipes requiring a 3-page essay before giving the recipe (and some don’t even list the recipe but spread it throughout their essay). They think I care about how much their family loves the recipe, the funny stories about mistakes they made in making it, how they discovered it, yada yada yada.
I saw a relatively recent offering from Colt that seems like it would be near-perfect – colt cr6960. Comes with a lightweight profile midlength chrome lined barrel and centurion mlok free float rail. What’s your thoughts on the new Colt rifles?
Oh, thanks for pointing that out. From a quick glance, the CR6920 looks like a new version of the Colt Combat Unit Carbine that I used to suggest until Colt discontinued it. In short, it’s pretty much exactly what I suggest and I think it would be a great option.
Hello. Thanks for all those tips.
I am planning to get my first AR. They are very uncommon in my country. Weapons also tend to be quite more expensive than in the US.
The local gunstore has a price drop for celebrating their 30 years of existence and every weapon is 30% off on every rifle in stock, making lots of nice rifles accessible. I’m playing with the idea to get a Colt M4 carbine or a POV Puritan. Both very fine weapons that where quite a step up from the rest in my regard. But I don’t know if it would be considered overkill.
I wish I had come across your article earlier. l live in MA where the gun laws are pretty strict, and are likely to become even restrictive due to new legislation that’s already passed in the house, and is now waiting on the senate (or their version). My understanding, from what a couple of dealers have told me, is that the new laws will prohibit pretty much all semi-automatic rifles. I’ve never owned a rifle, let alone a AR-15. With the pending legislation, I decided to purchase a semi-automatic rifle while I still could. After doing a little bit of research, I was ready. Or so I thought. I knew I pretty much wanted an all around rifle (primarily home defense, though maybe one day sport shooting, and perhaps even hunting). So going to buy one, I thought I had an idea of what I would get. However, after talking to the store employee and hearing a lot of technical stuff that I had no understanding of, I wound up leaving the store with $2,550 less in my pocket and Sig Sauer MCX-Spear LT. No doubt a quality rifle, but after reading this article, I do have a sense of buyer’s remorse and think it’s a bit of overkill for a beginner (me!). After reading this, I’m sure I could have gotten something much less expensive, which would still address what I was looking for, the most important being home defense. But, I am glad I read this, because if… Read more »
Thank you for the article. It was a great read for a first timer. There was a lot of useful/ practical information.
Also make sure it has M4 feed ramps and a magnetic particle/over pressure tested bolt that is made from a minimum of 158 Carpenter steel. There are “better than MilSpec” bolts available if you know what to look for, but there are also still companies cutting corners. A mediocre barrel might harm accuracy. A bad bolt can blow the gun up.
I did the buy quality with my AR, getting an LWRCi M6IC DI 16.1″. I certainly did not go the quality route with my purchase of many different Olights rather than buying Surefire lights. I have gone down the rabbit hole and have many different uppers to go with two built lowers and two stripped lowers.
Not everyone can afford the $1700 or so for a BCM or $2000 for a Daniel Defense. With the same irons, grips, stock and trigger as I have on my other more expensive AR-15, I have found the PSA PA-15 a fine workingman’s rifle. For down the road, I have purchased a Faxon barrel.
The mechanics I have learned with the PA-15 are transferrable to other rifles down. My gunsmith, a 15-year Marine sniper says that especially in the last few years, Palmetto State Armory has really come on with their QC. So, please give some thought to not being a gun snob.
Didn’t read all the replies but wanted to mention that police trade ins can be a great option for 1st AR15. They are usually lightly used and good quality for a fraction of price of new. I just picked up a Colt AR15-A3 tactical Carbine for $700 from AIM surplus. It appears to be in great shape. It is an older model but a lot of newer options come up in the market. Seems they are always trading out their weapons for the latest and greatest. Have to do some internet searching but some good deals can be found. I ordered online and had it transferred to a local FFL.